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When to Plant Leeks in Midland County, TX

Leeks are a mild, sweet allium that produces long white shanks. They are more refined than onions and are a key ingredient in soups, stews, and gratins.

Midland County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 1,546 feet, Midland County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Leeks may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Leeks will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Leeks root diseases.

Midland County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Midland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Midland County

How your county's soil matches Leeks's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4โ€“8.6) is more alkaline than Leeks prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Midland County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Leeks will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Leeks.

How to Plant Leeks

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Leeks needs ~2,820 GDD — county provides 5,616 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Midland County, TX

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Sep 4

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“150 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

239 days in Midland County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Midland County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after March 20 in Midland County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Midland County dries quickly โ€” mulch Leeks with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 98ยฐF in Midland County, provide afternoon shade for Leeks and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Leeks in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Transplant into trenches and hill soil around stems as they grow to increase the white portion. Harvest as needed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Midland County, TX?

Midland County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Midland County, TX?

Midland County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Midland County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Midland County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.